Tablet computer utility structure

ABSTRACT

A tablet computer utility structure (TCUS  10 ) that is designed to protect and enhance the utility of the tablet computer ( 70 ). The enhancement is accomplished by having the TCUS ( 10 ) include a cover ( 12 ) that includes on its the front surface ( 16 ), a business card holder ( 28 ), a pocket ( 40 ) that has inserted a paper pad ( 46 ) and a pen ( 59 ), pencil ( 60 ) or stylus ( 61 ) retaining loop  58 . The TCUS ( 10 ) can be dimensioned to be utilized with a variety of tablet computers ( 70 ) and can further include on the cover ( 12 ) a stylistic logo opening ( 44 ) that is in alignment with a tablet logo ( 72 ) located on the front surface of the tablet computer ( 70 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally pertains to electronic equipment protective covers, and more particularly to a tablet computer utility structure (TCUS) that is designed to slip over the tablet computer.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of tablet computers such as the Apple iPAD™ is in use throughout the world in both industrialized and emerging countries. The tablet computers have a fragile data viewing section which is typically not protected from scratches and other abrasions.

Protective covers are available for some tablet computer designs. However, these current protective covers have a basic problem in that they only function to protect the data viewing section. The covers do not include a means for holding and retrieving a pen, pencil or a stylus, a business card, nor a convenient paper pad for writing handwritten notes.

The instant invention solves the above problems by providing a tablet computer utility structure (TCUS) that is in the form of a cover that slips over the tablet computer utility cover. The TCUS aids in protecting the viewing section of the tablet and includes a business card holder, a paper pad, and a pen, pencil or a stylus retaining loop.

A search of the prior art did not disclose literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related.

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED D592,400 Nelson 19 May 2009 D582,675 Nelson 16 Dec. 2008 D578,129 Weber 7 Oct. 2008 6,967,836 Huang 22 Nov. 2005

The D592,400 patent discloses a case that encloses a notebook computer. The case is made of a stretchable material and includes an upper section that functions as an opening for receiving the notebook computer.

The D582,675 patent also discloses a case that encloses a notebook computer. The case is made of a stretchable material and includes a side opening flap that functions as an opening for receiving the notebook computer.

The D578,129 patent discloses a sleeve that is dimensioned to enclose a notebook computer. The sleeve has a zipper that traverses a portion of the sides and the upper edge of the sleeve. The zipper allows the sleeve to be opened to allow the notebook computer to be inserted therein.

The U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,836 discloses a case for accommodating a tablet computer. The case includes a first and a second sidewall plate that defines a space for accommodating the tablet computer. The case features a pivoting mechanism that angularly supports a tablet computer when the computer is being viewed.

For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the search.

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED D500,204 Hillman 28 Dec. 2004 D538,801 Taylor 20 Mar. 2007 6,163,450 Kim 19 Dec. 2000

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The tablet computer utility structure (TCUS), also referred to as the iSlyder™, is designed and dimensioned to be inserted over the body of a variety of tablet computers.

In its basic design configuration the TCUS is comprised of a cover having a rear surface, a front surface, an upper edge, a rear facing lower edge, a front facing lower edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The rear facing lower edge and the front facing lower edge form an opening that is dimensioned to be slipped over the tablet computer. The upper edge, the first side edge and the second side edge are attached by either a heat weld or an adhesive.

Attached to the rear surface of the TCUS is a business card or credit card holder, a pocket and on one of its edges a pen, pencil or stylus retaining loop. On the front surface of the TCUS is located a logo opening.

The business card holder has an opening that allows a card to be easily inserted or removed and preferably has a transparent surface that allows the inserted card to be viewed. The pocket is located along the upper edge, the lower edge and the second side edge, with the tablet opening traversing across the upper and lower edges. The opening is primarily dimensioned to easily insert and remove a paper pad. However, in lieu of a paper pad other notes can be inserted. The logo opening is configured to be in alignment with a logo that is located on the surface of the tablet computer. The pocket can also include a slit opening that functions as second pocket opening.

In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a tablet computer utility structure (TCUS) that is particularly designed to be easily inserted and removed from a tablet computer. The TCUS protects the computer's viewing surface and increases the utility of the invention. The utility is increased by including a business card holder, a utility pocket, a pen, pencil or stylus retaining loop and an opening located on the front surface of the TCUS that is aligned with a logo on the cover of the tablet computer.

In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to provide a TCUS that:

-   -   can be made in several sizes to accommodate various tablet         computers,     -   can be produced in a variety of materials, colors, and textures,     -   has a streamlined, slim, lightweight design that can improve the         appearance of a table computer,     -   includes a business card holder that can be dimensioned to also         accommodate credit cards or calling cards, and     -   is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's         point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthographic rear view of a tablet computer utility structure (TCUS) shown being inserted over the cover of a typical tablet computer. The figure shows an opening on the TCUS that is aligned with a logo located on the front surface of the tablet computer.

FIG. 2 is an orthographic front view of the TCUS that includes a first business card holder, a paper pad inserted into a pocket and a pen, stylus or pencil retaining loop attached to the side of the TCUS.

FIG. 3 is a rear surface elevational view of the TCUS having a first business card holder, a paper pad inserted into a pocket and a pen, pencil or stylus retaining loop that is attached to the side of the TCUS.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the TCUS showing a cover opening that extends from the cover's first side edge and the cover's second side edge.

FIG. 5 is a front surface elevational view of the TCUS showing the logo opening and a pen, stylus or pencil retaining loop.

FIG. 6 is a rear surface elevational view of the TCUS having an optional reinforced edge and a single sheet of a paper pad inserted into the pocket.

FIG. 7 is a rear surface elevational view of the TCUS having a second business card holder and a paper pad inserted into the pocket.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a tablet computer protective structure (TCUS 10). The preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, is comprised of the following major elements: a cover 12, a business card holder 28, a pocket 40, a paper pad 46, a pen pencil or stylus retaining loop 58 and a pen 59, a pencil 60 or a stylus 61. The inventive elements function in combination with a tablet computer 70 that can consist of an APPLE iPAD™, a GOOGLE HONEYCOMB™, a SAMSUNG GALAXY™, a BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK™, a ASUS EEE PAD™, an LG TABLET G-SLATE™, a MOTOROLA XOOM HONEYCOMB™, a SONY ERICSON READER™, a DELL STREAK™ PANDIGITAL NOVEL™, KINDLE™, and a ANDROID™.

The cover 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, is designed to both protect the surface of the tablet computer 70 and to add utility to the TCUS 10. The cover 12 has a rear surface 14, a front surface 16, an upper edge 18, a rear facing lower edge 20, and a front facing lower edge 20′. The two lower edges 20,20′ form a tablet opening 22 that is dimensioned to be slipped over the cover of the tablet computer 70, as shown partly inserted into the pocket 40, in FIG. 1. The front surface 16 can include a logo opening 44, as also shown in FIG. 1. The opening 44 is in alignment and is configured to encompass or to correspond with the shape of a tablet logo 72 that is located on the front surface of the tablet computer 70. The cover 12 can be made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, leather and cloth, with a plastic, such as vinyl preferred.

Located on the cover's rear surface 14 and adjacent to the first side edge 24 is a first business card holder 28. The business card holder 28, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, preferably has a transparent surface 30 which allows a business card to be easily viewed when the card is in the holder 28. The business card holder 28 has a card opening 32 that is dimensioned to allow the business card to be easily inserted and retained therein. The business card holder 28 is attached to the rear surface 14 by means of a heat weld 34 if both the business card holder 28 and the cover 12 are made of plastic. Likewise, if the business card holder 28 and the cover 12 are each made of leather or cloth, an adhesive 36 can be used. A second business card holder 38, as shown in FIG. 7, can also be attached to the rear surface 14 adjacent to the first business card holder 28. The pocket 40, as shown best in FIG. 2, is attached to the rear surface 14 of the cover 12 along the upper edge 18, the rear facing lower edge 20 and the second side edge 26. The pocket 40 includes a pocket opening 42 that extends upward from the second side edge 26 and extends across the upper edge 18 and the rear facing lower edge 20. The pocket 40 is attached to the front cover 12 by means of a heat weld 34 if the pocket 40 and the cover 14 are made of plastic. If the pocket 40 and the cover 12 are made of leather or cloth, an adhesive 36 is used. The pocket 40, as shown in FIG. 6, can also include a slit opening 43 that provides a second opening into the pocket 40.

The pocket opening 42 is used to retain paper notes or a paper pad 46, as best shown in FIG. 2. The paper pad 46 has an upper-inner section 48 that has applied a temporary adhesive 50 and is dimensioned to be inserted into the pocket opening 42. The paper pad 46 can consist of a POST-IT® pad or the like that includes a temporary adhesive 50 on its upper-inner section 48.

To secure the paper pad 46 to the rear surface 14 of the cover 12, a single sheet 52 of paper is removed from the paper pad 46 and is inserted into the pocket 40, as shown best in FIG. 2. When inserted, the adhesive backed upper-inner section 48 of the single sheet 52 is attached to the surface of the rear surface 14 of the cover 12. When attached, the inner-upper section 48 extends above the pocket opening 42 of the pocket 40 which then allows the upper-inner section 48 with the temporary adhesive 50 of the paper pad 46 to be secured to the upper-inner section 48 of the single sheet 52.

The cover 14 also includes a pen, pencil or stylus retaining loop 58, as shown in FIG. 1, that is dimensioned to retain a pen 59, a pencil 60 or a stylus 61. The loop 58 can be attached to either the upper edge 18, the first side edge 24 or the second side edge 26. The loop 58 is attached by means of a heat weld 34 if the loop and the cover 12 are made of plastic, or by an adhesive 36 if the loop and cover are made of leather or cloth.

The TCUS 10 can also be designed to include a logo opening 44 and an edge reinforcing strip 62.

The logo opening 44, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, is located on the front surface 16 of the cover 12. The logo opening is configured and dimensioned to be aligned with a tablet logo 72 located on the surface of the tablet computer.

The strip 62 is preferably comprised of a double-sided strip 64 that fits over the upper edge 18, the first side edge 24 and the second side edge 26. The strip 62 is attached by means of a heat weld 34 or by an adhesive 36.

While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, the TCUS is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims. 

1. An tablet computer utility structure (TCUS) comprising a cover having a rear surface, a front surface, an upper edge, a rear facing lower edge, a front facing lower edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the rear facing lower edge of the rear surface and the front facing lower edge at the front surface form an opening that is dimensioned to be slipped over the tablet computer, wherein the upper edge, the first side edge and the second side edge are attached by an attachment means.
 2. The TCUS as specified in claim 1 wherein said TCUS is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of plastic, leather and cloth.
 3. The TCUS as specified in claim 2 further comprising a first business card holder that is located on the rear surface adjacent to the first side edge and that is dimensioned to allow the business card to be easily inserted and retained therein.
 4. The TCUS as specified in claim 3 wherein said first business card holder has a transparent surface.
 5. The TCUS as specified in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching the upper edge, the first side edge and the second side edge comprises a heat weld or an adhesive.
 6. The TCUS as specified in claim 3 wherein said business card holder is attached to the rear surface by means of a heat weld when said first business card holder and said TCUS are both made of plastic.
 7. The TCUS as specified in claim 3 wherein said first business card holder is attached to the rear surface by means of an adhesive when said first business card holder and said TCUS are both made of leather or cloth.
 8. The TCUS as specified in claim 1 further comprising a second business card holder that is located on the rear surface adjacent to said first business card holder.
 9. The TCUS as specified in claim 1 further comprising a pocket that is attached to the rear surface of said cover along the upper edge, the rear facing lower edge and the second side edge, wherein said pocket having an opening that extends upward from the second side edge and across the upper edge and the lower edge.
 10. The TCUS a specified in claim 9 wherein said pocket further having a slit opening that provides a second opening into said pocket.
 11. The TCUS as specified in claim 9 further comprising a pad of paper having an upper-inner section that has applied a temporary adhesive and that is dimensioned to be inserted into the pocket opening.
 12. The TCUS as specified in claim 11 wherein to secure said paper pad to the rear surface, a single sheet of paper is removed from the paper pad and is inserted into said pocket with the adhesive backed upper-inner section of the single sheet attached to the surface of the rear surface of said cover, with the upper-inner section extending above the opening of said pocket, wherein the adhesive section of said paper pad is then attached to the upper-inner section of the single sheet of paper.
 13. The TCUS as specified in claim 11 wherein said pad of paper is comprised of a POST-IT® pad.
 14. The TCUS as specified in claim 1 further comprising a pen, pencil or stylus retaining loop that is attached to either the upper edge, the first side edge or the second side edge of said cover by an attachment means comprising a heat weld if said loop and said cover are each made of plastic, or by an adhesive if said loop and said TCUS are each made of leather or cloth.
 15. The TCUS as specified in claim 1 further comprising an edge reinforcing strip that is attached around the upper edge, the first side edge and the second side edge of said cover.
 16. The TCUS as specified in claim 15 wherein said reinforcing strip is comprised of a double-sided strip that fits over and is attached to the upper edge, the first side edge and the second side edge of said cover.
 17. The TCUS as specified in claim 16 wherein said reinforcing strip is attached by means of a heat weld if said strip and said TCUS are made of plastic, or an adhesive if said strip and said TCUS are made of leather or cloth.
 18. The TCUS as specified in claim 1 wherein said tablet is selected from the group consisting of APPLE iPAD™, GOOGLE HONEYCOMB™, SAMSUNG GALAXY™, BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK™, ASUS EEE PAD™, LG TABLET G-SLATE™, MOTOROLA XOOM HONEYCOMB™, SONY ERICSON READER™, DELL STREAK™, PANDIGITAL NOVEL™, KINDLE™, and a ANDROID™.
 19. An tablet computer utility structure (TCUS) comprising: a) a rear surface, a front surface, an upper edge, a lower edge having an opening, a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the opening is dimensioned to be slipped over the tablet computer, b) a business card holder attached to the rear surface and located adjacent to the first side edge, wherein said business card holder has an opening that is dimensioned to allow a business card to be easily inserted and retained therein, c) a pocket that is attached to the rear surface along the upper edge, the lower edge and the second side edge, wherein said pocket having an opening that extends inward from the second side edge and across the upper edge and the lower edge, d) a slit opening located adjacent to the pocket opening, e) a pad of paper having an adhesive upper-inner section and that is dimensioned to be inserted into said pocket, wherein to secure said pad of paper to the rear surface, a single sheet of paper is removed from the pad of paper and is inserted into said pocket with the adhesive upper-inner section of the single sheet attached to the surface of the rear surface of said TCUS with the upper-inner section extending above the opening of said pocket, wherein the adhesive section of said pad of paper is then attached to the upper-inner section, f) a pen, pencil or stylus retaining loop that is attached to either the upper edge, the first side edge or the second side edge, and g) a logo opening located on the front surface of said cover, wherein said logo opening is dimensioned to be aligned with a logo located on the front surface of the tablet computer. 